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Studying in Birmingham? This is where you should live

As one of the UK’s biggest cities, Birmingham has plenty of benefits beyond its great universities to offer to students. Those studying in Birmingham can pick from a range of areas to suit their lifestyle and interests. Here’s an overview of some of Birmingham’s top spots for students to live and spend time in.

For nightlife and music

Don’t want to sleep? Brilliant - Birmingham’s renowned for its nightlife. Broad Street is the prime location for parties, with homegrown and international DJs captivating clubs like PRYZM, the city’s largest. At Smallbrook Queensway, Snobs is a long-standing indie fixture, playing rock, alternative and retro jams across three floors. Or, make your own music at Karaoke Box, where a private room gets you microphones, tambourines, meals and drinks, while you sing to your heart’s content! Most venues are less than 15 minutes’ walk from residence Queen’s Hospital Close, so living there will save you a lot of late-night taxi fares.

For arts, culture and clothes

If you’re a creative type, you’ll dig Digbeth. Once the industrial heart of the city, Digbeth is brimming with new developments turning the district into a creative hub, where talented graffiti artists have livened up the urban brick walls. The old Custard Factory has been redeveloped into an arts centre, which is home to a range of independent businesses like Ghetto Golf and Baked in Brick. Nearby, you’ll find great second-hand clothes in Cow Vintage. (or newer ones in the Bullring). For a taste of Asia, try the Chinese Quarter, where The Arcadian is home to multiple restaurants and takeaways. It’s also just a 20-minute walk from Liberty Gardens, which also offers a good midway point between the city’s universities. Digbeth itself is just a 10-minute bus ride from Queen’s Hospital Close(or a 20-minute walk, on a sunny day!).

For nature and park life

Did you know there are baby red pandas in Birmingham? Yup, you can find pandas, monkeys and other endangered animals from all over the world, right in the heart of Edgbaston at the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park. Better yet, if you’re simply looking for a patch of grass in the sunshine, the green and spacious Cannonhill Park is close by. Both nature hotspots can be reached on foot from Edgbaston residence Liberty Court in ten minutes, so students living there are well-placed for getting lots of fresh air and exercise. Alternatively, if you’re feeling lazy or it’s raining, there’s a free shuttle bus that’ll take you all the way to Edgbaston Campus.

For history and novelty

For a glimpse into Birmingham’s sparkling past, the Jewellery Quarter is the place to be. Explore streets seeped in the district’s 250-year history and studded with over 200 listed buildings. Go back in time at the various museums and make your own jewellery at The Quarterworkshop. Or, to really get away from the pressures of university, students can (literally) escape from the VR escape rooms at Ex(c)iting Game Birmingham and Escape Live. There are numerous independent pubs, shops and eateries in the quarter and the newly connected tramline makes it easy to get to the universities and the city centre.

For the best of everything

If you want to live somewhere that’s close to campus, but not short of entertainment, go to Selly Oak (as many students do). It’s the perfect place for flitting between your university studies and social life, and residents at Liberty Park are able to do exactly that – they’re just a short nine-minute walk to the University of Birmingham, and a two-minute walk to bar-lined Bristol Road, which offers plenty of choices for a pint. Free days can be filled exploring nearby areas such as Bournville, home to for Cadbury World, where you can spend a day surrounded by chocolate for just £9 with your student discount!

As you can see, there’s an area to suit every kind of student lifestyle in the UK’s second largest city and our four residences in Birmingham cover a range of top student neighbourhoods.

We’re searching for students to join our Creative Community, so get in touch if you’d like to develop your skills in areas such as blogging, photography and video production.